Dr Pat Garratt is a distinguished South African marine biologist and conservationist, renowned for his contributions to fish biology research, public education, and aquarium leadership. Over the years, he has bridged the worlds of rigorous scientific inquiry and large-scale public engagement with marine ecosystems. Dr Pat, ready to go fishing! From his early work at the Oceanographic Research Institute [...]
For the past ten years, Gerhard van der Merwe has driven from Hermanus to Kleinbaai every week to volunteer at the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary (APSS). At this Sanctuary, the Dyer Island Conservation Trust cares for injured, sick, and “retired” African Penguins. The young and strong are released on Dyer Island to help boost the dwindling population of this critically [...]
Gansbaai, South Africa – At this time of year, adult African Penguins on Dyer Island undergo their annual moult, a natural process in which they shed and regrow their feathers. During moulting, adults are not waterproof and cannot swim to find fresh fish for their chicks, leaving them unable to feed their young. The penguin life cycle is essentially divided into [...]
On an exciting educational outing, 30 DEEP Blue Ambassadors had the opportunity to visit Stony Point Nature Reserve in Betty’s Bay – one of only two mainland colonies of the endangered African Penguin in South Africa. This visit was not only a chance to see these charismatic seabirds up close on land, but also an opportunity for the ambassadors to build [...]
On Saturday, 20 September 2025, the shores of Gansbaai came alive with the sound of teamwork, determination, and community pride as we joined millions around the world for the International Coastal Clean-Up 2025. This year’s theme, “Clean Seas Against the Climate Crisis,” reminds us that every piece of waste collected is a step towards protecting our oceans and addressing the global [...]
The Dyer Island Conservation Trust is proud to announce that the Royal Portfolio Foundation Lookout Tower has finally been completed on Dyer Island, marking a critical step forward in protecting the critically endangered African Penguin. This project was made possible thanks to the Royal Portfolio Foundation’s full funding of the initiative. “Their generosity turned an ambitious idea into a working reality, [...]
On the 08th of August, a southern right whale calf washed ashore near Struisbaai, prompting an immediate response from a dedicated team from Marine Dynamics and the Dyer Island Conservation Trust. The stranding was reported via the local marine stranding group, and with the tide rising quickly, the team had only a narrow window to act. Despite the time constraints, they [...]
Kleinbaai, South Africa – 8 August 2025 – This year, our celebration of World Ranger Day came with a splash – quite literally! While the official day falls on 31 July, rough seas postponed our plans, so we marked this special occasion on 8 August with calmer waters and brighter skies. Marine Dynamics and the Dyer Island Conservation Trust were honoured [...]
The highly pathogenic H5 strain of Avian Influenza has once again been detected in seabirds along the Western Cape coastline. Seabirds affected thus far during the current outbreak: Hartlaub’s Gulls near Cape Town and Great White Pelicans near Malmesbury. These are the first detections of HPAI in wild birds in the Western Cape since April 2024 and the first reports of [...]
Each year on Mandela Day, South Africans are encouraged to give 67 minutes of their time in service to others, honouring the legacy of Nelson Mandela’s 67 years of fighting for social justice. This year, the Dyer Island Conservation Trust proudly partnered with Gansbaai Tourism, CapeNature, and local volunteers for a meaningful clean-up in the heart of Masakhane. Volunteers from different [...]
